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Ausentatious #2
The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley: A Sapphic Regency Historical Romance of Forbidden Love
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26Being snubbed by Mr Darcy—passed over for Elizabeth Bennet, no less—is humiliating.
Being told she’s arrogant and unkind, and that if she doesn’t mend her ways, she might never find love… that’s simply preposterous. Isn't it?
Feeling the sting of Darcy’s rejection, Caroline Bingley does what any self-respecting woman of means would do: she hatches a plan. Get Georgiana Darcy, the epitome of grace and sweetness, to teach Caroline how to be perfect like her.
But Caroline’s transformation from status-hungry socialite to proper marriage material won’t be easy. She must be charming, and even worse… she must be kind. And Georgiana herself isn’t so sure about playing fairy godmother. Beneath Miss Darcy's polished facade lies an entirely different set of struggles.
As the two grow closer, Caroline discovers she’s less interested in securing a man, and more intrigued by the woman helping her to reform her character. Before long, their lessons in finding love and acceptance blossom into something completely unexpected…
The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley is a sapphic historical romance.
Being told she’s arrogant and unkind, and that if she doesn’t mend her ways, she might never find love… that’s simply preposterous. Isn't it?
Feeling the sting of Darcy’s rejection, Caroline Bingley does what any self-respecting woman of means would do: she hatches a plan. Get Georgiana Darcy, the epitome of grace and sweetness, to teach Caroline how to be perfect like her.
But Caroline’s transformation from status-hungry socialite to proper marriage material won’t be easy. She must be charming, and even worse… she must be kind. And Georgiana herself isn’t so sure about playing fairy godmother. Beneath Miss Darcy's polished facade lies an entirely different set of struggles.
As the two grow closer, Caroline discovers she’s less interested in securing a man, and more intrigued by the woman helping her to reform her character. Before long, their lessons in finding love and acceptance blossom into something completely unexpected…
The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley is a sapphic historical romance.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 5, 2026
492 people want to read
About the author
Lindz McLeod
33 books65 followersLindz McLeod is a queer, working-class, Scottish writer and editor who dabbles in the surreal. Her short prose has been published by Apex, Catapult, Pseudopod, DIVA, Nightmare, and many more.
Her longer work includes the award-winning short story collection TURDUCKEN (Spaceboy, 2023), as well as SUNBATHERS (Hedone Books, 2024), QUEEN O'NINE TAILS (Hedone Books, 2025), THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET (Harlequin, 2025), WE, THE DROWNING (Android Press, 2026), THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY (Harlequin, 2026), the collaborative anthology AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE (Stanchion, 2025), and more. Her work has been taught in schools and universities, displayed in a museum, turned into avant-garde opera, and optioned for TV.
She is a full member of the SFWA, the former club president of the Edinburgh Writers' Club, and is in her third year of a PhD in Creative Writing. She lives in Edinburgh with her talented fiancée and their two extremely photogenic cats, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Dane.
Her longer work includes the award-winning short story collection TURDUCKEN (Spaceboy, 2023), as well as SUNBATHERS (Hedone Books, 2024), QUEEN O'NINE TAILS (Hedone Books, 2025), THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET (Harlequin, 2025), WE, THE DROWNING (Android Press, 2026), THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY (Harlequin, 2026), the collaborative anthology AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE (Stanchion, 2025), and more. Her work has been taught in schools and universities, displayed in a museum, turned into avant-garde opera, and optioned for TV.
She is a full member of the SFWA, the former club president of the Edinburgh Writers' Club, and is in her third year of a PhD in Creative Writing. She lives in Edinburgh with her talented fiancée and their two extremely photogenic cats, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Dane.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 9, 2026
3.5⭐️ Rounded Up
What a beautiful love story! I enjoyed following the progression of the two MC’s Caroline and Georgiana’s relationship. My heart strings got pulled a few times, with the intensity of feelings that hit me.
The characters were easily likable which tends to make a book MUCH easier to read. It’s always interesting reading a historical romance because the way they live and speak is SO different, you really get transported in time.
Around the middle of the book I did start to get bored. It felt as though we were stuck in place for a bit with no movement and I had a hard time pushing through it. Once I finally got back into it it was worth the read!
It was pretty predictable throughout, and unfortunately nothing stuck out to me to make this book different than the rest, but was still an overall good read.
I can also appreciate a book with incredible side characters. Such a plus!
Thank you NetGalley and Linz McLeod for the ARC!
What a beautiful love story! I enjoyed following the progression of the two MC’s Caroline and Georgiana’s relationship. My heart strings got pulled a few times, with the intensity of feelings that hit me.
The characters were easily likable which tends to make a book MUCH easier to read. It’s always interesting reading a historical romance because the way they live and speak is SO different, you really get transported in time.
Around the middle of the book I did start to get bored. It felt as though we were stuck in place for a bit with no movement and I had a hard time pushing through it. Once I finally got back into it it was worth the read!
It was pretty predictable throughout, and unfortunately nothing stuck out to me to make this book different than the rest, but was still an overall good read.
I can also appreciate a book with incredible side characters. Such a plus!
Thank you NetGalley and Linz McLeod for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I had originally requested an eARC for this book I hadn't realized that this was coming from the same author of another Jane Austen Universe sapphic recanonization I had read last year that centered Mary and Charlotte--I had simply thought maybe something was in the zeitgeist and I was happy to read another sapphic Pride and Prejudice story. Alas, I started reading and immediately recognized the voice and humor and knew I was in for a treat.
Admittedly, I am not as familiar with Pride and Prejudice as most considering that almost all of my exposure to the material is through retellings so I cannot comment on how faithful characterizations are or how accurate the setting is, but I can say that I loved so much about this story. Author Lindz McLeod does a masterful job of straddling the line of making Caroline soooo annoying and yet soooo endearing (she is my favorite character from the Pride and Prejudice universe I've decided).
How else am I to react when a woman embarks on a ridiculous venture to "re-actualize" herself (but not really) in order to make a love match just to prove a point that she is capable of love at all (that'll teach Fitzwilliam Darcy). She enlists the help of kind, understanding Georgiana, who despite her class and wealth, is incredibly grounded and humble. Georgiana is the best person Caroline knows and thus an obvious choice. With great difficulty, Georgiana helps Caroline learn what it means to be a better person, and along the way the two discover what it means to fall in love.
The first half is written with so much humor I was almost taken off guard by the amount of angst the second half had in store (although I shouldn't have been surprised--any queer period piece should have a healthy amount of angst, and I personally do love angst so it wasn't unwelcome). I enjoyed every bit along the way, although I do wish it was a slower burn (personal preference) and that perhaps it would have been nice to get more glimpses into Georgiana's inner workings throughout. Still, I hope Lindz McLeod has plans for more Austen novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Admittedly, I am not as familiar with Pride and Prejudice as most considering that almost all of my exposure to the material is through retellings so I cannot comment on how faithful characterizations are or how accurate the setting is, but I can say that I loved so much about this story. Author Lindz McLeod does a masterful job of straddling the line of making Caroline soooo annoying and yet soooo endearing (she is my favorite character from the Pride and Prejudice universe I've decided).
How else am I to react when a woman embarks on a ridiculous venture to "re-actualize" herself (but not really) in order to make a love match just to prove a point that she is capable of love at all (that'll teach Fitzwilliam Darcy). She enlists the help of kind, understanding Georgiana, who despite her class and wealth, is incredibly grounded and humble. Georgiana is the best person Caroline knows and thus an obvious choice. With great difficulty, Georgiana helps Caroline learn what it means to be a better person, and along the way the two discover what it means to fall in love.
The first half is written with so much humor I was almost taken off guard by the amount of angst the second half had in store (although I shouldn't have been surprised--any queer period piece should have a healthy amount of angst, and I personally do love angst so it wasn't unwelcome). I enjoyed every bit along the way, although I do wish it was a slower burn (personal preference) and that perhaps it would have been nice to get more glimpses into Georgiana's inner workings throughout. Still, I hope Lindz McLeod has plans for more Austen novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely adore sapphic historical fiction. While I admit that I have not read any of Jane Austen’s classics (yes, I know that is scandalous), it’s not needed to enjoy The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley. I can appreciate the work that went into this book without knowing the ins and outs of Austen’s work. I will say I probably would appreciate it more if I had read her work, but I don’t have the desire to read anything that deals with heterosexual couples.
I found it hard at first to like Caroline. She was selfish and judgemental. But I believe that was the point. It made her character arc even better and more satisfying. She truly changed for the better and you can actually see that change unfold as you read. I appreciate when authors don’t shy away from the realities of the time period. It adds to the angst when the stakes are high and the threat of being ruined in society is there. I think it also adds to the wit of the author on how to navigate this, instead of just making the setting queer normative.
I did find some parts to be a little slow, but I do feel like that is kind of to be expected in books like this. There has to be a build up in order for the eventual coupling to feel real and be realistic.
I loved Caroline and Georgiana together. Their banter back and forth was entertaining throughout the novel. I also loved the side characters throughout, especially Mrs. Reynolds(did not see what happened at the ending happening at all, but it made me so happy)
Overall, this is a solid sapphic historical fiction that had the right amount of humor, angst, longing, spice and romance. This is the second book by the author I’ve read and I can’t wait to read more!
I absolutely adore sapphic historical fiction. While I admit that I have not read any of Jane Austen’s classics (yes, I know that is scandalous), it’s not needed to enjoy The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley. I can appreciate the work that went into this book without knowing the ins and outs of Austen’s work. I will say I probably would appreciate it more if I had read her work, but I don’t have the desire to read anything that deals with heterosexual couples.
I found it hard at first to like Caroline. She was selfish and judgemental. But I believe that was the point. It made her character arc even better and more satisfying. She truly changed for the better and you can actually see that change unfold as you read. I appreciate when authors don’t shy away from the realities of the time period. It adds to the angst when the stakes are high and the threat of being ruined in society is there. I think it also adds to the wit of the author on how to navigate this, instead of just making the setting queer normative.
I did find some parts to be a little slow, but I do feel like that is kind of to be expected in books like this. There has to be a build up in order for the eventual coupling to feel real and be realistic.
I loved Caroline and Georgiana together. Their banter back and forth was entertaining throughout the novel. I also loved the side characters throughout, especially Mrs. Reynolds(did not see what happened at the ending happening at all, but it made me so happy)
Overall, this is a solid sapphic historical fiction that had the right amount of humor, angst, longing, spice and romance. This is the second book by the author I’ve read and I can’t wait to read more!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I have to say this, because I’m not sure where else to, this was weirdly patriarchal. Hymens can break outside of sex, nor should they be the height of a romance. I feel especially strongly about this because this is a sapphic romance. Having such emphasis on breaking a hymen feels weirdly patriarchal and heterosexual, as if one of the characters were just genderswapped to make this gay to fulfil a genre need than the author really wanting to write about sapphics. I feel especially strongly about this, again, because I am a lesbian and do not want to read about how significant and important a hymen is.
Maybe that’s just a raging feminist lesbian take but the sex scenes and emphasis on Caroline “hunting” and “trapping” Georgianna made me especially uncomfortable. This didn’t feel romantic, not was I really rooting for any of the characters. It’s not as if Caroline and Georgiana are the actual characters from the original novel, either. I was flabbergasted from Georgiana’s strength and was deeply uncomfortable with Caroline’s characterization here.
Maybe the author’s novels aren’t for me, because I also had characterization problems with her first novel. I won’t be requesting the rest of the author’s novels in the future, which is a shame, because I really want to read any sapphic adaptations of Jane Austen’s works I can get my hands on. I’ll recommend her novels on the tail ends of others, as an aside, but there are stronger sapphic adaptations out there, and I just can’t in good faith wrap my arms around this book for my patrons.
Maybe that’s just a raging feminist lesbian take but the sex scenes and emphasis on Caroline “hunting” and “trapping” Georgianna made me especially uncomfortable. This didn’t feel romantic, not was I really rooting for any of the characters. It’s not as if Caroline and Georgiana are the actual characters from the original novel, either. I was flabbergasted from Georgiana’s strength and was deeply uncomfortable with Caroline’s characterization here.
Maybe the author’s novels aren’t for me, because I also had characterization problems with her first novel. I won’t be requesting the rest of the author’s novels in the future, which is a shame, because I really want to read any sapphic adaptations of Jane Austen’s works I can get my hands on. I’ll recommend her novels on the tail ends of others, as an aside, but there are stronger sapphic adaptations out there, and I just can’t in good faith wrap my arms around this book for my patrons.
February 3, 2026
4.5 stars
I love the way Lindz McLeod writes these sapphic re-tellings. I was beyond excited to be accepted to read an early copy. I literally jumped for joy. I do hope we get more of them. These characters are quite different from those in Book 1. I didn’t feel as much connection with these characters. But it was such a good romance. I did love how Caroline Bingley goes after what she wants with hesitation. It was nice to see a woman being the pursuer. The tension and the flirting were great. I would highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lindz McLeod, and Harlequin - Romance for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I love the way Lindz McLeod writes these sapphic re-tellings. I was beyond excited to be accepted to read an early copy. I literally jumped for joy. I do hope we get more of them. These characters are quite different from those in Book 1. I didn’t feel as much connection with these characters. But it was such a good romance. I did love how Caroline Bingley goes after what she wants with hesitation. It was nice to see a woman being the pursuer. The tension and the flirting were great. I would highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lindz McLeod, and Harlequin - Romance for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a huge fan of "The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet," requesting "The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley" was a no-brainer for me. Mcleod has a knack for writing queer regency romances that feel plausible, acknowledging the realities that would come with eschewing society's favor without trafficking in queer trauma -- this is a romance novel after all. It was a treat to meet a reformed (but still spirited) Miss Bingley and unpack the facade of Miss Darcy's perfection.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 7, 2026
Wow I love returning to the world of Jane Austen! This novel was a sweet sapphic romance that follows Caroline Bingley and (a thankfully aged up) Georgiana Darcy as Miss Darcy helps Miss Bingley work to better herself to prepare for marriage. I really enjoyed the Great Endeavor plot as well as the many side characters. This novel was a bit slow at times. 3⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews